The Impartial Spectator

Adam Smith's Moral Philosophy

D. D. Raphael

Smith's economics is well known; his philosophy is not, but deserves to be

Lucidly written, accessible to readers from any discipline

Guides the reader through scholarly issues of interpretation

The Impartial Spectator

Adam Smith's Moral Philosophy

D. D. Raphael

Description

D. D. Raphael provides a critical account of the moral philosophy of Adam Smith, presented in his first book, The Theory of Moral Sentiments. Whilst it does not have the same prominence in its field as his work on economics, The Wealth of Nations, Smith's writing on ethics is of continuing importance and interest today, especially for its theory of conscience. Smith sees the origin of conscience in the sympathetic and antipathetic feelings of spectators. As spectators of the actions of other people, we can imagine how we would feel in their situation. If we would share their motives, we approve of their action. If not, we disapprove. When we ourselves take an action, we know from experience what spectators would feel, approval or disapproval. That knowledge forms conscience, an imagined impartial spectator who tells us whether an action is right or wrong. In describing the content of moral judgment, Smith is much influenced by Stoic ethics, with an emphasis on self-command, but he voices criticism as well as praise. His own position is a combination of Stoic and Christian values.

There is a substantial difference between the first five editions of the Moral Sentiments and the sixth. Failure to take account of this has led some commentators to mistaken views about the supposed youthful idealism of the Moral Sentiments as contrasted with the mature realism of The Wealth of Nations. A further source of error has been the supposition that Smith treats sympathy as the motive of moral action, as contrasted with the supposedly universal motive of self-interest in The Wealth of Nations.

The Impartial Spectator

Adam Smith's Moral Philosophy

D. D. Raphael

Author Information

D.D. Raphael is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Imperial College, University of London.

The Impartial Spectator

Adam Smith's Moral Philosophy

D. D. Raphael

Reviews and Awards

"Remarkably comprehensive, without sacrificing the subtlety of its critical exegesis.... The Impartial Spectator offers revealing treatment of Smith's work on a variety of key topics.... This readable book is a welcome study of a fascinating and illuminating body of work."--Brian Feltham, Times Literary Supplement

"Engaging...a gift to anyone interested in Adam Smith and the history of British moral philosophy."--Sylvana Tomaselli, British Journal for the History of Philosophy